How to Write an Obituary: Step-by-Step Guide

Before you begin writing, collect all the necessary information:

• Full name (including middle name, maiden name if applicable)
• Date of birth and date of death
Age at time of death
• Place of birth and place of death
• Current residence (city and state)
• Education (schools, degrees, certifications)
• Career/Profession (employers, positions, years of service)
• Military service (if applicable)
• Hobbies, interests, achievements
• Family members (spouse, children, grandchildren, siblings, parents)
• Funeral/memorial service details (date, time, location)
• Charity or organization for memorial donations (if applicable)

Start with the basic announcement of death. This is typically the first paragraph:

Example:

"Mary Elizabeth Johnson, 81, of Springfield, Illinois, passed away peacefully on November 28, 2023, surrounded by her loving family at her home."

Key elements:

• Full name
• Age
• Location (city and state)
• Date of death
• Circumstances (peacefully, unexpectedly, after a long illness, etc.)

Alternative openings:

• "It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of..."
• "[Name] entered into eternal rest on..."
• "[Name] departed this life on..."

This section tells the story of the person's life. Include:

Birth and Early Life:

"Born on March 12, 1942, in Chicago, Illinois, to the late Robert and Margaret Smith, Mary was the second of four children..."

Education:

"After graduating from Chicago Central High School in 1960, Mary attended Springfield Community College, where she studied early childhood education."

Career:

"She dedicated over 30 years to teaching preschool at Springfield Early Learning Center, touching the lives of hundreds of children..."

Personal Life and Interests:

"Mary's greatest joy, however, was her family. She loved gardening, reading mystery novels, and spending summers at the family cabin in Wisconsin with her grandchildren."

Tips:

• Focus on positive memories and achievements
• Include specific details that make it personal
• Mention hobbies, interests, and passions
• Keep it respectful and appropriate

Properly list surviving family members and those who preceded in death. See our detailed guide: How to List Family in an Obituary

Survived By (in order):

1. Spouse (with years married if significant)
2. Children (in birth order, with spouses in parentheses)
3. Grandchildren (by name or count)
4. Parents (if still living)
5. Siblings (with spouses)
6. Extended family (nieces, nephews, etc.)

Example:

"Mary is survived by her children Sarah (David) Miller, Michael (Lisa) Johnson, and Jennifer (Mark) Davis; her grandchildren Emily, Jacob, Lily, Ethan, Noah, Ava, and Mia; her sisters Margaret Jones and Susan Taylor; and numerous nieces, nephews, and dear friends."

Preceded in Death By:

"She was preceded in death by her husband John (2018), her parents Robert and Margaret Smith, and her brother Thomas Smith."

Provide details about funeral or memorial services:

Funeral Service:

"A celebration of Mary's life will be held on December 5, 2023, at 11:00 AM at Springfield Community Church, 123 Main Street, Springfield, IL."

Visitation/Wake:

"Visitation will be held on December 4, 2023, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Springfield Funeral Home, 456 Oak Avenue, Springfield, IL."

Interment:

"Interment will follow at Springfield Memorial Cemetery."

Private Service:

"A private family service will be held in Mary's honor."

If the family prefers donations over flowers, include this information:

Example:

"In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Springfield Early Learning Center in Mary's honor."

Alternative:

"The family requests that memorial donations be made to [Charity Name], a cause that was dear to [Name]'s heart."

If flowers are welcome:

"Flowers are welcome, or donations may be made to [Charity Name]."

End with a meaningful closing statement:

Examples:

• "Mary's love, her laughter, and her legacy will live on in the hearts of all who knew her."
• "The family wishes to thank the staff at Springfield Hospice for their compassionate care during Mary's final days."
• "Mary will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing her."

Mary Elizabeth Johnson
March 12, 1942 – November 28, 2023
Springfield, Illinois

Mary Elizabeth Johnson, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on November 28, 2023, at the age of 81, surrounded by her loving family at her home in Springfield. Born on March 12, 1942, in Chicago, Illinois, to the late Robert and Margaret Smith, Mary was the second of four children and grew up with a passion for nurturing others—something that defined her entire life.

After graduating from Chicago Central High School in 1960, Mary attended Springfield Community College, where she studied early childhood education. She dedicated over 30 years to teaching preschool at Springfield Early Learning Center, touching the lives of hundreds of children who adored her warmth and kindness. Her greatest joy, however, was her family.

Mary married the love of her life, John Johnson, in 1965, and together they raised three children: Sarah (48), Michael (45), and Jennifer (42). She was a devoted wife, mother, and later a proud grandmother to seven grandchildren: Emily, Jacob, Lily, Ethan, Noah, Ava, and Mia. Mary's home was always open—filled with the smell of fresh-baked cookies, laughter, and love. She loved gardening, reading mystery novels, and spending summers at the family cabin in Wisconsin with her grandchildren.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband John (2018), her parents Robert and Margaret Smith, and her brother Thomas Smith. She is survived by her children Sarah (David) Miller, Michael (Lisa) Johnson, and Jennifer (Mark) Davis; her grandchildren; her sisters Margaret Jones and Susan Taylor; and numerous nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

A celebration of Mary's life will be held on December 5, 2023, at 11:00 AM at Springfield Community Church, 123 Main Street, Springfield, IL. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Springfield Early Learning Center in Mary's honor.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Springfield Hospice for their compassionate care during Mary's final days.